ł§łŮ´Ç°ů˛â:ĚýBetsy ComptonĚý| Photo: Cody Ingram

The University of West Alabama is expanding its College of Nursing to become theĚýCollege of Nursing and Health Professions, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen healthcare education, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and address the growing demand for healthcare professionals across Alabama and the Black Belt region.

Effective August 1, the expanded college will bring together nursing and a broader range of health-related academic programs under a unified academic structure that enhances collaboration among faculty, students, and healthcare disciplines.

“The expansion of this college to become the College of Nursing and Health Professions reflects our commitment to addressing shortages in the healthcare workforce and building upon the strong foundation of healthcare education at UWA,” said UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. “We have listened carefully to the healthcare industry throughout the Black Belt region, and we are responding by creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and student success that will prepare graduates to meet the evolving needs of our communities.”

Provost Dr. Amy H. Jones said the expanded college represents an investment in both academic excellence and the future of healthcare education.

“This expanded structure is designed to strengthen collaboration among related disciplines, support continued academic growth, and prepare students to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce,” Jones said. “The transition will facilitate stronger collaboration between students and faculty across our healthcare-related academic programs while expanding opportunities through shared simulation environments, clinical equipment, and instructional facilities.”

Dr. Mary Hanks will continue serving as dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, while Dr. Dara Murray, associate professor of nursing, will serve as associate dean.

The College will be organized into two primary academic departments: the Department of Nursing, chaired by Dr. Kelly McClure, associate professor of nursing, and the newly established Department of Health Professions. A chair for the Department of Health Professions will be announced at a later date.

The new Department of Health Professions will include several rapidly growing tracks within UWA’s Health Sciences Comprehensive program previously housed in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, including General Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant/Associate, Respiratory Therapy, and Medical Laboratory Science. The department will also include the Certified Nursing Assistant program, previously administered through the Division of Lifelong Learning and Economic and Workforce Development, as well as healthcare administration programs currently under development.

The expanded College reflects UWA’s continued commitment to preparing highly skilled healthcare professionals while strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers and communities throughout the region.

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

For Meridian resident Tanesha Slocum, the belief that “nothing worth having comes easy” is more than a saying—it’s a way of life.

Pursuing an associate degree in nursing at the University of West Alabama, Slocum balanced service in the Army Reserve’s 828^th Battalion in Livingston with full-time college—all while raising three children, welcoming a new baby and building a new marriage. On May 8, she added another title to her list: college graduate.

“I had a great experience at UWA, and I really loved my instructors and professors,” Slocum said. “They invest so much time and energy into their students’ success. Even after I failed a class and had to sit out a year, they worked with me. They are always open to questions and willing to go over material when you don’t understand something, and I appreciate that so much.”

That belief—that nothing worth having comes easy—has defined every step of her journey and guided one of her most difficult decisions: choosing not to reenlist at the end of her contract and instead transition to full-time college.

“Even though I started the nursing program after I got married and welcomed my third child, I believe transitioning from the military was probably my greatest challenge,” she said. “Going from the consistency and stability of a steady paycheck to not working at all was difficult. Then we moved off the Naval Air Station in Meridian. It was a lot of change in a short period of time.”

Curiosity about the university near the Reserve Center ultimately led Slocum to UWA. Her interest in nursing began earlier, while working in home health after an initial attempt at college in Florida didn’t work out.

“Life got in the way back then, but I had a grandfather who was a nurse, so I decided to apply at UWA and was accepted.”

Slocum says discipline and her faith are what have carried her through—and her husband and two older children helped as well.

“I was pretty young when I had them. My daughter is now 14 and my son is 13,” Slocum said. “We’ve come a long way together. Throughout this whole process, they constantly tell me how proud they are of me. They let me know on test days that they’ve prayed for me and that I’m going to do well. My daughter acts like a little mama, asking me if I studied, and then asking for my notes so she can quiz me.”

Slocum has already completed a few prerequisites for the bachelor of science in nursing program at UWA and hopes to enter the program in October. Now she’s focusing on preparing for the NCLEX, the national licensure exam for registered nurses, and finding a job closer to home.

“I’ve been commuting for the past several years, first for work, and then for school. I’ve applied to a few places here in town, and I’m just praying for direction on where to go,” Slocum said. “I know things are going to crank up for me now that both my older children will be at Meridian High this fall—my daughter in color guard and my son playing football. But I’m not stopping yet—I still have more to accomplish.”

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Story: Betsy Compton | Photo: Cody Ingram

The University of West Alabama will receive $1.8 million in federal funding to strengthen nursing education and workforce development, thanks to the appropriations leadership of U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

Senator Britt, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, directly secured the funding through the Senate passage of the FY26 Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Act. 

“I am proud to have directly secured $1.8 million for Sumter County in this appropriations bill,” said Senator Britt. “This funding will procure crucial medical equipment supplies and improve the nursing education facilities that help train Alabama’s strong workforce of healthcare professionals.”

The funding will support UWA’s Alabama Rural Nursing Enhanced Technology Project, which will provide the Ira D. Pruitt College of Nursing with updated high-fidelity simulation training equipment for nursing students.

These advanced tools will expand UWA’s ability to deliver continued high-quality education for students pursuing an associate of science in nursing (ASN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree and better prepare graduates for certification exams and careers in healthcare. UWA nursing graduates have been among the top in the state for NCLEX pass rates for several years.

“At UWA, we are committed to providing exceptional educational experiences to our students to give them the advantage they need when they graduate and begin their careers,” said UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. “This funding comes at a critical time for our region and the State of Alabama , and it will help ensure that we continue to offer high quality, workforce relevant nursing programs as we invest in advanced high-fidelity simulation equipment and facility upgrades.”

Building on the university’s existing simulation-based learning experiences, these enhancements will expand experiential learning opportunities and ensure students train using technology that reflects today’s evolving healthcare environments.

“With this support, UWA will be able to expand training capacity, modernize our learning environments, and better prepare nurses to serve the communities where they are needed most,” said Dr. Mary Hanks, Dean of the College of Nursing. “Clinical experience is a critical component of nursing education. Through simulation technology, we can provide additional hands-on experiences for our students with faculty members by their side to guide them and make the most of those teachable moments in a controlled environment.”

University leaders note that the project will significantly impact the state by helping retain licensed nurses in Alabama and addressing the ongoing nursing shortage.

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